Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) mRNA and activity and concentrations of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) and catecholamines were examined as markers of sympathetic innervation and catecholamine synthesis in peripheral tissues of sympathectomized and intact rats. Chemical sympathectomy with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) markedly decreased norepinephrine and to a generally lesser extent TH activities and dopamine in most peripheral tissues (stomach, lung, testis, duodenum, pancreas, salivary gland, spleen, heart, kidney, thymus). Superior cervical ganglia, adrenals and descending aorta were unaffected and vas deferens showed a large 92% decrease in norepinephrine, but only a small 38% decrease in TH activity after 6-OHDA.
Differential Effects of Chemical Sympathectomy on Expression and Activity of Tyrosine Hydroxylase and Levels of Catecholamines and DOPA in Peripheral Tissues of Rats
Journal Neurochemical Research
Publisher Springer Netherlands Issue Volume 24, Number 1 / January, 1999